out·line
ˈau̇t-ˌlīn 
1
2
a
: a style of drawing in which contours are marked without shading
drew a dog in outline
b
: a sketch in outline
prepared several outlines of the suggested mural
3
a
: a condensed treatment of a particular subject
an outline of world history
b
: a summary of a written work : synopsis
Students were required to give an outline for each assigned paper.
4
: a preliminary account of a project : plan
gave the class an outline of the points he intended to cover
5
: a fishing line set out overnight
outlined; outlining; outlines
1
: to draw the outline of
2
: to indicate the principal features or different parts of
outlined their responsibilities
Examples of outline in a Sentence
Noun
The pictures were drawn in outline and then filled in with color.
The leaves etched into the vase have a gold outline.
Organize your essay by writing an outline in which you state your main idea followed by your supporting points.
a brief outline of American history
Her speech was written in outline on note cards.
Verb
The President outlined his agenda for the next term.
The book outlines the major events of the country's history.
All players must follow the rules outlined above.
Recent Examples on the Web
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Last night provided at least a skeleton of an outline of what that looks like.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
On her Instagram post for her second week of the challenge, Miller outlined her expenses:
Regular bills: $291.88 (That also included $21.65 for subscriptions like streaming services, which Miller said doesn't make sense to cancel for a month and restart).
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outline
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Items from China face a minimum tariff of thirty per cent, and that rate will surely go higher if the two sides can’t finalize a trade deal, the outlines of which were seemingly agreed upon in May.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Last night provided at least a skeleton of an outline of what that looks like.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
Odds For Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier There are plenty of fight options for UFC 318, but as outlined above, the Holloway-Poirier fight will headline Saturday night.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
On her Instagram post for her second week of the challenge, Miller outlined her expenses:
Regular bills: $291.88 (That also included $21.65 for subscriptions like streaming services, which Miller said doesn't make sense to cancel for a month and restart).
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outline
Cite this Entry
“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outline. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outline
1 of 2 noun
out·line
ˈau̇t-ˌlīn
1
: a line that traces or forms the outer limits of an object or figure and shows its shape
2
a
: a drawing or picture giving only the outlines of something
b
: this method of drawing
3
a
: a brief summary or plan often in numbered divisions
b
: a brief treatment of a subject
an outline of world history
outline
2 of 2 verb1
: to draw or trace the outline of
2
: to indicate the main features or parts of
outlined our responsibilities
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